Posts Tagged ‘special needs sibling’
When the Silence feels too Loud
I don’t get a lot of quiet moments in my life. I mean, I’m a mom of four so honestly it just doesn’t happen. My house feels alive most of the time. Laughter. Yelling. iPads blaring. Train whistles. No hockey sticks in the house. Turn that down. Is that a marker? It feels like a three ringed circus most of the time. But a great one. One that the neighborhood kids are drawn too. Yesterday I made a trip to see my dad. He’s 79 and had a stroke a…
Read MoreMy Bookends
My bookends. My big and my little. 10 and 3 months. I’ll tell ya this much. They don’t pay too much attention to each other. Their worlds rarely intersect. But if anything comes close to falling (or jumping) on that baby…ahem…like a toddler brother…Cooper is the first to give a holler to let me know. That’s something special if you ask me. Also, see Cooper’s treasures? The items around him? He’s loving brown and white paper right now. He has a whole stack. Those photos? They are from my trip…
Read MoreMy Biggest Cheerleader
Sawyer: Mama, I told everyone at school about your book and that they should buy it. Me: You did? That’s awesome. Wait. Do you know the title? Sawyer: Yeah. Of course I do. It’s about my brother. Me: So what’s it called? Sawyer: Cooper. Cooper’s Voice. Er. Um. Finding the Boy. Forever. Me: Yes. That’s exactly right. Nailed it. My biggest cheerleader. PS. Forever Boy is number 44 on Amazon. That’s of all the books. Like all of them. I am humbled and honored. I don’t think I can ever…
Read MoreA Place Where We Don’t Have to Apologize
Good morning from our last day at camp! It’s hard for me to even put into words how much this weekend meant to me. A place where my son could try all the activities alongside his brothers without pressure or judgement. A place where we haven’t had to apologize once. A place where everyone understands. And no one cares. I can’t wait to share more video with you today. Because my son, the one who adores watching other kids play and try, but rarely joins, went down a zip line!…
Read MoreWaving the White Flag
Have you ever waved the white flag? Threw your hands up in the air and said no more. I’m there. Since my sweet baby girl was born on May 25 our house has been sick. Every member. 7 weeks. One thing after another. And I can’t seem to get a handle on it. We went from being healthy to constantly being at the doctor. All in all, with six people, we’ve had… Five colds. Three ear infections. Strep throat. Mastitis twice. RSV. Six negative covid tests. Ten visits to the…
Read MoreI Loved You Before I Even Knew You
On December 9th at approximately 3:42 pm on a Wednesday, you came onto this earth. And since then, my life has ever changed. You might wonder why I’m only writing to you and not Collin. Well, in my heart, I know the past year has been a struggle for you and our family. Sometimes I think we get so caught up in life’s daily to do’s and your brother’s needs that I know you feel forgotten. But this is a letter to you to let you know I do not…
Read MoreHarbor’s New Bike
As parents, we want to remember everything. Especially the adorable and funny. So here goes… A few days ago we bought our two year old a balance bike from Strider Bikes. He’s a pretty athletic kid and will most likely be riding a bike like his brother Sawyer at age 3. Fun fact, I didn’t learn how to ride a bike until I was 8. I can still remember my parents running alongside me holding onto my seat. Anyhow, for those who don’t know, balance bikes do not have pedals.…
Read MoreThree Extraordinary Boys
I just saw something on Facebook that said I’m not supposed to say my autistic son is resilient or brave or strong. I’m not supposed to say his siblings are amazing either. I guess all of that is insulting to a disabled person. And maybe that’s true. I guess I don’t know all of the rules. And I would never want to offend someone. What I do know is I am a really proud mom. My first born, he was diagnosed with autism at age 3. At the time, I…
Read MoreWaiting for Baby Sister
I can’t believe in 4 weeks or less there will another baby to love. And a girl this time. When this photo was taken, Harbor was less than a week old. Cooper still hadn’t touched him and was very apprehensive of him. But he was just fine with snuggling up to Sawyer to get this photo. Today, I often say that Harbor is bridge in between these two. He demands love and attention from both. And rules the house. And now a baby sister. The boys are definitely excited but…
Read MoreThe Third Child
There is just something about the third child. I hear they rule the roost usually. And are often little stinkers. Both true for this one. Right now he’s two years old. The third boy. The boss. He loves Nerf Guns, monster trucks, and Blaze and the Monster Machine. He has the most pleasant personality of anyone I have ever met. He adores his brothers. He drives both of them bonkers too. Without fear. He lives on chocolate. I kid. But for real, he loves snacks and treats and raspberries. Getting…
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